A pair of Sandhill Cranes is raising two chicks in Medina. With permission of the land owner, I photographed them this morning from cover about 100 yards out. They were feeding in grass along the marsh where it is believed they nested. This is only the second time I've seen the young of this species, the first coming at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge two summers ago. I think it's unusual for Sandhills to nest in Hennepin County. They can be found at Sherburne and at Carlos Avery Wildlife Area northeast of St. Paul. They also nest in northwestern Minnesota and in the Aitkin area. Many more can be seen at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. But it certainly is convenient and exciting to find them five miles from our Orono home. Here is one of the adults with the two chicks.
